Signal means for automatic washing machine controlled by timer device



L. J. MARTINIAK ETA!- IGNAL MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE CONTROLLED BY TIMER DEVICE Filed May 1, 1968 Feb. 25, 1969 5 ii Elem INVENTORS LEONARD I MAR'HNlAK 6 MARLIN L. RACE THE\R ATTORNEY United States Patent 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Signal means for indicating the operational status of an automatic washing machine of the type having a washing enclosure access door that is pivotal about a generally horizontal axis for movement between its open and closed positions. The signal means comprise an eccentricallyweighted indicator member bearing first and second indicia respectively indicating first and second operational conditions of the machine. The indicator member is mounted within the door for pivotal movement relative to a window in a wall of the door between a first position exposing the first indicia and a second position exposing the second indicia through the window. When the door is opened, gravity pivots the indicator member into the first position and retains it there until it is subsequently pivoted into the second position by actuator means actuated by the machines timer at the substantial completion of the operational cycle.

Background of the invention This invention relates to automatic washing machines and more particularly to improved signal means which are particularly adapted for use with an automatic dishwashing machine to indicate its operational status.

An automatic dishwashing machine is often loaded with soiled articles and yet not placed in operation until quite some time thereafter. If an operator returns to the machine hours later and has forgotten whether or not the dishwasher has been placed in operation, there is no way of telling, without actually opening the dishwasher door and observing the clean or soiled condition of the articles therein, if the dishwasher has or has not been operated. Some dishwashers are equipped with an electricallypowered signal light that is energized during the operation of the dishwasher. However, the light is usually extinguished at the termination of the operating cycle, and an extinguished signal light is obviously no indication that the machine has been operated.

Therefore, it is desirable that signal means he provided which positively indicate whether or not a dishwasher has been operated. US Patent No. 2,780,198, issued Feb. 5, 1957, to Frank D. Low, and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention, describes a previously-known form of positive signal means which is particularly adapted for use in a dishwasher of the front-opening horizontally-hinged drop-door type. These prior-art positive signal means include an indicator member bearing first or unstarted indicia and second or started indicia. The indicator member is mounted within the dishwasher door for pivotal movement relative to a window in the door front wall between a first position exposing the unstarted indicia and a second position exposing the started indicia through the window. When the door is opened to permit loading of the dishwasher, gravity pivots the indicator member to the unstarted position, where it is latched in place by means provided on a pushbutton that is mounted in the door for starting the dishwasher through its operational cycle. Upon completion of the loading and closure of the door,

3,430,223 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 ICC the indicator member is retained latched in the unstarted position. When the pushbutton is depressed to initiate the dishwasher operation cycle, the indicator member is unlatched and is pivoted by gravity to the started position where it remains until the door is again opened.

While the positive type signal means described by the aforementioned patent provide a considerable improvement over the indicator light-type of signal means, they do have a disadvantage in that the indicator member is relatched in its unstarted position if the door is opened at any time following the initial start up of the operational cycle. Hence, if an operator should open and reclose the door to add a forgotten article to the dishwasher after start but before completion of the operational cycle, the indicator means would then erroneously indicate that the dishwasher had been unstarted even though the machine would continue through a complete operational cycle.

The improved signal means of the present invention, though not limited in applicability thereto, are particularly useful in a dishwashing machine of the afore-described type to overcome the previously noted problems.

Summary of the invention The present invention provides improved signal means which are particularly adapted to indicate the operational status of an automatic washing machine of the type having a washing enclosure access door that is pivotal about a generally horizontal axis between its open and closed positions. In one presently preferred form of the present invention, the signal means comprise an indicator member bearing first and second indicia, respectively indicating first and second operational conditions of the machine. The indicator member is mounted in the machine door for pivotal movement relative to a window in a wall of the door between a first position exposing the first indicia and a second position exposing the second indicia. The indicator member is pivoted to the first position by gravity when the door is opened and remains therein until pivoted to the second position by actuator means that are actuated by the machines timer at the substantial completion of the machines operational cycle.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view, with parts broken away to show details, of an automatic dishwashing machine incorporating a presently preferred form of the signal means of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the washing enclosure access door of the dishwashing machine of FIGURE 1 taken along line 2-2 and showing the indicator member of the signal means in a first of its two alternative positions;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but taken along line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the door shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, with most of the door front wall broken away and the timer shaft shown in cross section;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 66 in FIGURE 5, showing the left end of the indicator member in the first of its two alternative positlons;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 5, showing the right end of the indicator member in the first of its two alternative positions;

FIGURE 8 is a View similar to FIGURE 6, but showing the left end of the indicator member in the second of its two alternative positions;

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 7, but showing the right end of the indicator member in the second of its two alternative positions;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the indicator memher and the combination pane-pivot bracket removed from the door and showing the indicator member in the second of its two alternative positions.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now to the drawing, and initially to FIG- URE 1 thereof, there is somewhat schematically illustrated an automatic dishwashing machine 10 incorporating a presently preferred form of the signal means of the present invention. The machine 10 comprises an upstanding outer cabinet 11 housing an upstanding vat 12. The vat 12 defines a washing enclosure 13 having at least one article-supporting rack 14 disposed therein. The cabinet 11 and vat 12 are provided with upstanding registered front-openings which provide an access opening to the washing enclosure 13. The access opening to the washing enclosure 13 is provided with a hollow closure member or door 15, which is mounted by hinge means (not shown) adjacent its bottom edge to the cabinet 11 for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis AA between a generally vertical closed position, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, and a generally horizontal open position (not shown). When the door 15 is in its open position, the article supporting rack 14 may be at least partially withdrawn from the washing enclosure. The rack 14 is supported by a support system which comprises plurality of rollers which ride upon tracks extending into the washing enclosure, only one roller 16 and one track 17 being visible in FIGURE 1.

As is well known in the art, the machine 10 is provided with the plurality of conventional electricallypowered operating components that are mounted in machinery compartment 18 below the vat 12 and whose energization and de-energization by an electric power source (not shown) is controlled or programmed in a well-known manner by a sequence controlled or timer 19 through a predetermined operational cycle to cleanse articles (not shown) supported in the rack 14 within the enclosure 13 when the door 15 is in its closed position.

In the illustrated machine 10, the electrically-powered operating components include a normally-closed solenoid valve 20, a motor-pump assembly 21 and a heating element 22.

The solenoid valve has its inlet connected by a conduit 23 to a source of hot water (not shown) and has its outlet connected by another conduit 24 which is arranged in a conventional manner relative to a side wall inlet fitting (not shown) in the vat 12 to supply inlet water to washing enclosure 13 across the one inch air-gap that is required by plumbing codes.

The motor-pump assembly 21 is supported from the bottom wall of the vat 12 and includes a drive motor 25, a recirculation pump 26 and a drain pump 27. As is well understood in the art, the drive motor 25 is of a reversible type wherein in one direction of rotation the recirculation pump 26 is operated to pump wash fluids up through a spray apparatus 28 that is rotatably mounted on the discharge of the recirculation pump 26 in a vigorout manner such that an effective wash or rinse action is applied to cleanse the articles (not shown) supported with the rack 14. In the other direction of rotation, the drive motor 25 operates the drain pump 27 to withdraw wash fluid from the washing enclosure 13 to a conventional sewer connection (not shown).

The electrical heating element 22 is supported in a spaced relationship thereabove from the bottom wall of the washing enclosure 13 and is employed to facilitate the drying of articles in the rack 14 upon completion of the cleansing thereof by the fluids applied by the spray apparatus 28.

In the machine 10 illustrated in the drawing, the timer ,19 is mounted by a bracket 29 in the upper portion of shown) which, when energized, rotates a shaft 30 through a clutch (not shown). The motor-powered timer shaft 30 has an end which protrudes through the door outer wall and has a manually operable knob 31 secured to it whereby the operator of the dishwashing machine 10 may rotate the knob 31.

When the machine 10 is to be loaded with soiled articles to be cleansed by it, the door 15 is pivoted downwardly about the axis AA to its generally horizontal open position and the rack 14 is drawn outwardly from the enclosure 13 and the soiled articles are loaded therein. Following loading of the rack 14, it is returned into the enclosure and the door 15 is pivoted upwardly about the axis AA to its generally vertical closed position as shown in FIGURE 1.

Automatic operation of the machine 10 can now be initiated in a well-known manner by manually rotating the timer knob 31 and its attached shaft 30 a few degrees (clockwise as seen in FIGURE 1) to energize the timer motor, which will then continue to rotate the timer shaft 30 until it has completed a full 360 of rotation from its original Position (FIGURE 4).

The timer 19 is connected by well-known circuitry (not shown) to the valve 20, the motor-pump assembly motor 25 and the heating element 22 in such a manner that the rotation of the timer shaft 30 by the timer motor eenrgizes and de-energizes them in accordance with a predetermined operational cycles.

A typical predetermined operational cycle of the machine 10 by the timer 19 may include energization of the solenoid valve 20 to admit a predetermined quantity of water to the washing enclosure 13, whereupon the valve 20 is 'de-energized and the motor-pump assembly motor 25 is energized to rotate in a first or circulate direction causing the recirculation pump 26 to supply water to the spray apparatus 28 and thus effect a prerinse of the articles within the enclosure 13. After a predetermined period of this action, the motor 25 is momentarily de-energized and then re-energized in a reverse or drain direction of rotation so that the drain pump 27 is caused to drain water from the enclosure 13. A second pre-rinse operation comprising the same steps just mentioned may then follow. Usually, on completion of the second pre-rinse period, the valve 20 is again energized and admit water to the washing enclosure 13 which is the first step in a wash operation that com prises essentially the same steps as each pre-rinse, except that the period of activity of the recirculation pump 26 and the spray apparatus 28 is for a longer time. An automatic detergent dispenser (not shown) is energized to dispense the proper amount of detergent into the washing enclosure 13 to facilitate cleaning of the articles supported by the rack 14. The wash operation is followed by a post-rinse operation which again comprises the same steps as each pre-rinse operations except that again the period of activity of the recirculation pump 26 and the spray apparatus 29 is for a longer time than that of each pre-rinse period.

At the end of the post-rinse operation, the heating element 22 is energized for a predetermined length of time to facilitate drying of the articles within the enclosure 13. At the completion of the drying period, the heating element 22 is de-energized and the timer motor is usually simultaneously de-energized so that the entire dishwashing machine 10 is completely shut off. In any event, the timer motor will remain energized until the timer shaft 30 has completed the full 360 of rotation.

The structure and operation thus far described comprise a substantially conventional undercounter or dropdoor dish-washing machine which is generally similar to the machine described in detail in US. Patent No. 3,347,- 612 issued October 17, 1967, to J. E. Bebinger and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention. It is to be understood, of course, that the present invention is equally applicable to a dishwashing machine of the top opening variety or to any washing machine having a washing enclosure access door that is pivotal about a generally horizontal axis between its open and closed positions. The structure thus far described may vary considerably without seriously effecting the present invention.

As previously noted, an automatic washing machine, such as the machine 10, is frequently loaded with soiled articles and door pivoted to its closed position, and yet the machine is not placed in operation for quite some time thereafter. If the operator returns to the machine hours later and has forgotten whether or not it has been placed in operation, there is no way of telling without actually opening the access door 15 and observing the clean or soiled condition of the articles within the enclosure 13 if the machine has or has not been operated.

The present invention provides signal means 32 which are particularly adapted to positively indicate the operational status of an automatic washing machine, such as the machine 10, which has a washing enclosure access door 15 that is pivoted about a generally horizontal axis AA between its opened and closed positions.

In the form of the present invention illustrated in the drawing, the signal means 32 comprise an eccentricallyweighted indicator member or drum 33 bearing first and second indicia 34 and 35 for respectively indicating first and second operating conditions for the machine 10. The indicator member 33 is mounted within the hollow door 15 adjacent the timer 19 for pivotal movement relative to a window 36 provided in the front wall of the door 15 between a first position (FIGURES 1-7) exposing the first indicia 34 through the window 36 and a second position (FIGURES 8-10) exposing the second indicia 35 through the window 36. The indicator member 33 is pivoted to the first position by gravity when the door 15 is pivoted downwardly about the axis AA to its open position. The indicator member 33 is retained by gravity in its first position (FIGURES 1-7) until it is pivoted to its second position (FIGURES 8-10) by actuator means 37 that are actuated by the timer 19 at the substantial completion of the rotation of the timer shaft 30 by the timer motor, which generally occurs at the substantial completion of the predetermined operational cycle of the machine 10.

As shown in the drawing, the window 36 is generally rectangular and receives a combination window panedrum pivot bracket 38 that is adapted to be snap-fitted therein. The combination member 38 is preferably made of a translucent plastic material, such as Lucite, and includes a pane portion 38a and a pair of integrally formed lugs 38b. Each of the lugs 38b is provided with a notch 380 for rotatably journalling one of a pair of pivot axles 39 which protrude from the opposite ends of the drum 33 along its central axis.

The drum 33 is provided with a weight 40, that is eccentrically mounted therein relative to central axis thereof, whereby gravity biases the drum 33 to rotate relative to lugs 38b. Rotation of the drum 33 relative to the lugs 38b is limited by a pair of stop pins 41a and 41b which are angularly spaced on one end of the drum 33 (the right end as shown) and protrude from that drum end sufliciently to hit the bracket lug 38b adjacent that drum end.

As best shown in FIGURES 4 and 10, the first and second indicia 34 and 35 are angularly spaced on the outer circumference of the drum 33, with the first indicia 34 comprising the word soiled and the second indicia 35 comprising the word clean. The indicia 34 and 35, the weight 40 and the stops 41a and 41b are angularly positioned relative to one another on the drum 33 such that, upon downward pivotal movement of the door about the axis AA to its open position, gravity will act upon the weight 40 to cause the drum 33 to pivot relative to the lugs 38b and move to the first of two alternative positions. In this first or soiled position (FIGURES 1-7), the soiled indicia 34 is exposed through the window 36 and the covering pane portion 38 of the combination window pane-pivot bracket member 38, while the stop pin 41a is engaged with the upper edge of an adjacent lug 38b.

The indicator drum 33 will remain in this first or soiled" position, even though the door 15 is pivoted upwardly about an axis AA and returned to its closed position, since gravity will continue to act upon the weight 40 to hold the drum 33 in the first position. In fact, once the drum 33 is moved into this first position, (FIGURES 1-7), it will remain therein regardless of any subsequent opening or closing movements of the door 15 about the axis AA and will be moved to its second or clean position (FIGURES 8-10) only through actuation of the actuator means 37.

The actuator means 37 provided for pivoting the drum 33 to its second or clean position (FIGURES 8-10) are actuated by the timer 19 at the substantial completion of the 360 rotation of the timer shaft 30 by the timer motor. As best shown in FIGURE 4, the actuator means 37 preferably comprise a cam 42 that is carried by the timer shaft 30 for rotation therewith to operate a lever 43 that is pivotally mounted on the front face of the timer 19 by an axle pin 19a. The lever 43 has a first end 43a which is slidably engaged by the outer periphery of the cam 42 and an opposite end 43b which is located adjacent to a trip member 44 that is formed one one of the drum pivot pins 39 (the left end pin as shown).

The major portion of the outer periphery of the cam 42 is shaped such that the lever 43 is normally held by it in spaced relationship to the trip member 44. However, the cam outer periphery is further provided with a protruding portion 42a that is arranged to slidably engage the lever first and 43a at the substantial completion (for example, after approximately 300 in the form shown in FIGURE 4) of the 360 rotation of the timer shaft 30 by the timer motor. When this protruding cam portion 42a so engages the lever first end 43a, the lever 43 is operated to pivot the lever opposite end 43b into engagement with the trip member 44 to overcome the force of gravity on the Weight 40 and thus pivot the drum 33 to its second or clean position (FIGURES 8-10), wherein the second stop pin 41b is engaged wtih the lower edge of the adjacent bracket lub 38b and the second or clean indicia 35 is exposed through the window 36 and the pane portion 38a of the combination member 38.

Upon completion of the 360 rotation of the timer shaft 30 by the timer motor, the protruding cam portion 42a will be disengaged from the lever first end 43a and the lever opposite end 43b will again be returned to its normal position spaced from the drum trip member 44.

The indicator member or drum 33 will then remain in its second or clean position (FIGURES 8-10) only so long as the door 15 remains unopened. When the door 15 is pivoted downwardly about its axis AA to its open position, as to unload the clean articles from the enclosure 13, gravity will then act upon the weight 40 to cause the drum 33 to return to its first or soiled position (FIGURES 1-7), where it will remain until the actuator means 37 are again actuated by the timer 19 at the substantial completion of the next operational cycle of the machine 10.

Thus it can be seen that the present invention provides improved signal means that are particularly adapted for use with an automatic washing machine of the type having a washing enclosure access door that is pivotal about a generally horizonal axis between its open and closed positions to positively indicate whether or not an operational cycle of the machine has been substantially completed.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited to the particular details of the form illustrated, and it is anticipated that other modifications or applications might occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the signal means 32 obviously might be readily modified for incorporation in a machine of the top-loading type wherein the washing enclosure access door would be pivotal about a generally horizontal axis between a generally horizontal closed position and a generally vertical open postiion.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Signal means for indicating the operational status of an automatic washing machine of the type including a. washing enclosure having an access door mounted for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between a closed position and an open position, and means controlled by a timer through a predetermined operational cycle to cleanse articles contained in the enclosure, said signal means comprising:

(a) an indicator member bearing first and second indicia and being mounted on the door for pivotal movement relative to a window provided in a wall of the door between a first position exposing said first indicia through said window and a second position exposing said second indicia through said window,

(b) said member being pivotal into said first position by gravity in response to movement of the door to its open position, and

(c) actuator means actuated by the timer at the substantial completion of the operational cycle to pivot said member from said first position to said second position.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

(a) said first indicia indicate that the articles are soiled, and

(b) said second indicia indicate that the articles are clean.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the timer is mounted on the door.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said actuator means include:

(a) cam means driven by the timer,

(b) lever means mounted on the door for movement by said cam means to pivot said indicator member from said first position to said second position.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said indicator member comprises an eccentrically-weighted drum.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein:

(a) said drum has an axle aligned with its central axis and extending from at least one of its opposite ends, and

(b) said axle is rotatably journalled in a pivot bracket mounted on said wall of said door.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein said pivot bracket is integrally formed with a pane for said window.

8. The invention of claim 6, further including stop means carried by said drum for engagement with said pivot bracket to limit pivotal movement of said drum relative to said window.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,780,198 2/1957 Low 116-l14 JOHN W. CALDWELL, Primary Examiner. HAROLD I. PITTS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

